Arrangement and method for vascular anastomosis

ABSTRACT

A method for implementing vascular anastomosis in the attachment of a graft vessel to a target vessel such as a coronary artery, and subsequently creating a passageway between the vessels in order to establish fluid flow communication therebetween. Further is to the provision of novel devices which are utilized in implementing the steps of attaching a graft vessel to a target vessel such as a coronary artery through vascular anastomosis, and thereafter creating a fluid flow passageway therebetween.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/069,025 filed Feb. 28, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No.6,860,891 granted Mar. 1, 2005, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for implementing vascularanastomosis in the attachment of a graft vessel to a target vessel suchas a coronary artery, and subsequently creating a passageway between thevessels in order to establish fluid flow communication therebetween. Theinvention is further directed to the provision of novel devices whichare utilized in implementing the steps of attaching a graft vessel to atarget vessel such as a coronary artery through vascular anastomosis,and thereafter creating a fluid flow passageway therebetween.

The concept of anastomosis in implementing the attachment of targetvessels, for instance, such as coronary arteries and other body vesselswhich are subjected to a fluid flow, such as blood to a graft vesselwhich is intended to be placed in fluid flow communication with thetarget vessel is well known in the medical technology.

Quite frequently, the attachment or anastomosis of the vessels isimplemented through the intermediary of hand suturing of the graftvessel to the target vessel, in effect the coronary artery,necessitating the carrying out of extremely difficult and highlydangerous surgical procedures.

Generally a surgeon will perform an arteriotomy on the coronary arteryat a location which is downstream from a blockage; however some flow ofblood may still be present in the diseased artery. Occasionally theblood flow through the artery is temporarily occluded by means of aclamp in order to be able to incise the coronary and then perform theanastomosis with a minimal blood leakage. Nevertheless, the occluding ofthe artery occasionally dislocates plaque which lines the intima of thediseased coronary artery, enabling the plaque particles to migratedownstream, and thereby creating a scenario for the propagation ofsubsequent complications over time which may be readily life threateningto a patient. Even in the event that the coronary artery is occludedprior to the arteriotomy, it is usually necessary to manage any bloodleakage which may be encountered by means of a CO₂ blower. Thus, it maybe advantageous to be able to perform the anastomosis of the graftvessel to the coronary artery or any target vessel without first havingto implement an arteriotomy on the target vessel or coronary artery.

Moreover, the cardiac surgeon must exercise considerable care in orderto stitch the intima of the graft vessel to the intima of the coronaryartery in order to promote healing at the location of the passage waywhich has been created between the newly joined graft vessel and thecoronary artery. In an ideal situation, the cardiac surgeon intends thatthe edges of the incision of one vessel are to be perfectly aligned withthe mating or opposite edges of the incision of the other vessel,enabling endothelial tissue to quickly form a smooth seam joining thevessels with a minimum build-up of intraluminal tissue mass which mayconceivably restrict blood flow subsequent to the joining of thevessels. A conventional stitching method using a running suture also mayresult in so-called purse stringing or bunching of tissue at variouslocations along the perimeter of the anastomosis, with the resultingpotential of creating subsequent occlusions at those locations. Inaddition to the foregoing, cardiac surgeons presently slice the coronaryartery with a small scalpel, at times utilizing a large number ofstrokes in order to cut through layers of the interior walls of theartery, and by approximating the length of the incision required basedon the size of the graft vessel. This necessitates extreme care to beexercised in order to avoid cutting the posterior wall of the artery.

Consequently, it is imperative that methods and apparatus be developedfor forming an anastomosis of a graft vessel to a coronary artery orsimilar target vessel without first having to create an arteriotomy onthe target vessel or artery. Moreover, also desirable is to be able tojoin the vessels in an anastomosis prior to creating a passagewayfacilitating fluid flow therebetween in order to ensure that theopposing edges of the incisions in the graft and target vessels areperfectly aligned and stabilized, and with the avoidance of any pursestringing or bunching of the tissues along the anastomosis perimeter. Itis also necessary that a method be developed for incising the arterywithout the possibility of such posterior wall cuts having to beimplemented, and with only a minimal chance of rendering the incisionsto be either too lengthy or too short at the location of theanastomosis.

It has also been ascertained that bio-adhesives may be utilized in thejoining together or anastomosis of blood vessels; however, in the eventthat an arteriotomy is implemented prior to adherence between thevessels, it is a possibility that the surgeon may inadvertently applyadhesive material onto the intima of the vessels which are to be joined,thereby impeding the appropriate healing of the joined vessels. Thus,there is a need for a method which will alleviate this potential dangerto the patient in being able to join the vessels without exposing theintima of either vessel to the bio-adhesive.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

Although numerous publications are currently available which to varyingdegrees concern themselves with this particular technology, none of themclearly or satisfactorily provide teachings regarding vascularanastomosis methods or devices which will provide for the joining of atarget vessel, such as a coronary artery, to a graft vessel prior to thecutting of a fluid flow passageway between the graft vessel and thetarget vessel so as to generally, to a considerable degree, alleviatethe difficulties and shortcomings encountered in the medical technology.

Nobles et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,730 discloses a device and method forassisting in end-to-side anastomosis wherein a sealing device piercesthe one vessel and then forms a inner seal around an inner wall of anincision in an arterial blood flow or target vessel. Thereafter, a graftvessel is attached to the target vessel or artery, and appropriatesuturing implemented, whereupon the seal is then withdrawn through thegraft vessel providing for fluid or blood flow communication between thecoronary artery and the graft vessel.

Stefanchik et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,015,416 discloses an end-to-sideanastomosis between two vessels, wherein a passageway is initiallycreated between the vessels and thereafter a plow structure of asurgical anastomosis instrument is withdrawn subsequent to effectuatinganastomosis therebetween.

Troutman U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,127 discloses an offset point surgicalneedle adapted to pierce through the walls of a vessel which is to besubjected to anastomosis with another vessel.

Whitehall et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,019,789 discloses an anastomosis clampfor the intimal-to-intimal anastomosis of two vessels, and whereinsutures are to be applied to the location of the anastomosis subsequentto the formation of a flow passageway between the vessels.

The foregoing publications all entail the forming of passageways whichpermit blood flow between a coronary artery or target vessel and a graftvessel prior to anastomosis, and which are subject to the drawbacks anddisadvantages described hereinabove.

Other publications also concern themselves with different types ofdevices and methods for performing anastomosis between blood vessels orgraft vessels.

Bolduc et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,159 discloses a surgical clip andmethod for tissue approximation, which enable the end-to-end anastomosisand method for tissue approximation, and which also enable the end tothe side anastomosis between a coronary artery and a graft vesselsubsequent to the forming of a flow passageway therebetween.

LeMole U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,369 describes a procedure for bypassing anocclusion in a blood vessel wherein an end-to-side anastomosis isperformed between two vessels and wherein a graft vessel initially has aseal element punch a passageway through the target vessel or artery.Thereafter the graft vessel is attached thereto by means of suitableclamps, whereupon subsequent to suturing the seal element is withdrawnthrough the graft vessel

Walsh et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,657,019 describes an anastomosis devicewherein forceps are adapted to engage ring shaped anastomosis elementsin order to perform end-to-end anastomosis between a, artery or targetvessel and a graft vessel. This also entails the formation of a flowpassageway prior to carry out the anastomosis.

Gifford, III et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,504 describes various methodsand apparatus for performing anastomosis in an end-to-end and sidevascular surgery, particularly coronary artery bypass surgery. In thisinstance, a passageway is formed in a target vessel or coronary arterywherein ring shaped anastomotic couplers are introduced through anincision formed therein and then connected to a graft vessel. This alsoentails forming a blood flow passageway between the vessels prior to theanastomosis thereof

Similarly, Gifford, III et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,817,113 discloses theformation of a flow communication in a target vessel, such as coronaryartery, prior to anastomosis with a graft vessel.

Kaster U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,736 describes an anastomotic fitting forperforming an end-to-side anastomosis between a target vessel, such asan aorta or coronary vessel, and a graft vessel. In that instance apassageway facilitating blood flow between the vessels is formed priorto the anastomosis which is implemented by way of surgical clipsengaging the tissue of the target vessel.

Spence et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,763 discloses an apparatus and methodadapted to perform anastomosis, wherein side-to-side anastomosis betweentwo vessels is implemented subsequent to the forming of a passagewaybetween the vessels, which enables blood flow through the vessels priorto completing the anastomosis.

Finally, International Publication WO 99/37218 (PCT/US99/01182) providesa system for performing vascular anastomosis in which an opening isformed in a target vessel, such as a coronary artery, and subsequentlyan anastomosis is performed in the attachment of a graft vessel thereto.

All of the foregoing publications require the termination of blood flowthrough the target vessel during implementing of the foregoingprocedures, or necessitate lengthy surgical procedures which includesconsiderable risk to patients and which are subject to high degrees ofmorbidity and potential mortality while necessitating lengthy hospitalstays for the patient.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, the foregoing drawbacks anddisadvantages are clearly obviated in that novel methods and devices foranastomosis between a coronary artery or target vessel and a graftvessel are implemented prior to the formation of a fluid flow passagewaybetween the vessels, thereby enabling the maintaining of a continuedblood flow during the anastomosis.

Pursuant to one aspect of the invention, the anastomosis is performed byinserting a suture wire through one wall of the target vessel orcoronary artery, and then passing out the suture wire from that wall ata predetermined distance from the point of insertion, passing theopposite outwardly extending ends of the wire through a second vessel,such as graft vessel, positioning the graft vessel in close proximity tothe coronary artery or target vessel and adhering the graft vessel tothe target vessel at that particular location through diverse means.Prior to the formation of the fluid flow passageway between the twovessels, attachment is implemented at that location intermediate thewire ends by either the application of an adhesive, suturing, or acombination of adhesive and sutures, and thereafter withdrawing thewires while cutting a passageway therewith between the graft vessel andthe target vessel or coronary artery within the confines of theanastomosis area, and thereafter removing the wire.

The foregoing passageway forming method for interconnecting the vesselsin fluid flow communication may be implemented by the suture wire inthat the wire is longitudinally reciprocated so as to form a kind ofcutting blade in the form of a so-called “cheese cutter”, oralternatively, the wire may have electrical energy applied thereto in aregion defined by the juncture or anastomosis of the vessels, so as toessentially melt through the vessel tissues to thereby produce thepassageway.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to providea novel method of implementing anastomosis between two body vesselsprior to the formation of a fluid flow passage way therebetween at thelocation of the anastomosis.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a suitable suturewire extending through the location of the proposed anastomosis betweentwo vessels, such as a graft vessel and a target vessel consisting of acoronary artery, whereby anastomosis is implemented and thereafter thesuture wire is manipulated to cut through the vessels at the site of theanastomosis in order to form a blood flow passageway therebetween, andthe effectuating removal of the suture wire.

Another object resides in the provision of an arrangement forimplementing anastomosis between two body vessels which are in agenerally side-to-side orientation, through the interposition of asuture wire extending into the vessels, and subsequently applyingelectrical energy or radio frequency energy to the wire so as to servethrough the tissues separating the vessels at the location of theanastomosis, thereby forming a blood flow passageway between thevessels, and thereafter removing the suture wire.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and advantages of the invention and novel features thereofmay be readily ascertained from the following detailed description ofthe invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings;wherein:

FIGS. 1 a through 5 illustrate a first embodiment of a sequence in stepsof performing anastomosis and subsequent forming of a fluid flowpassageway between two body vessels;

FIGS. 6 through 13 illustrates a modified method for implementing anend-to-end side anastomosis between two vessels, such as a target vesselor coronary artery and a graft vessel;

FIG. 14 illustrates, diagrammatically, a device for suturing and gluingthe juncture between the vessels in order to implement an anastomosis;

FIG. 15 illustrates a physical application of the device of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 illustrates an enlarged transverse sectional view through thevessels of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 illustrates a modified device for the performing of theanastomosis between the vessels;

FIG. 18 illustrates the application of sutures and adhesive to the siteof the anastomosis as implemented by the device of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 illustrates an alternative method of implementing anastomosis tothe vessels;

FIG. 20 illustrates a modified construction for the needles and cuttingwires;

FIG. 21 illustrates an enlarged fragmentary detail of the portion A inFIG. 20;

FIG. 22 illustrates the utilization of the wires shown in FIGS. 20 and21;

FIG. 23 illustrates the positioning of the graft vessel and juncturewith the coronary artery utilizing the wires of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 illustrates a perspective view of the front portion of aninstrument for applying energy to the wires in order to provide thecutting operation to form the fluid flow passage between the vessels;after anastomosis thereof;

FIG. 25 illustrates an exploded perspective detail of the device of FIG.24;

FIG. 26 illustrates a general diagrammatic representation of theutilization of the device shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 for forming thepassageway between the target and graft vessels subsequent toimplementing anastomosis;

FIGS. 27 through 30 illustrate steps in utilizing a different type ofsuture and hooked needle structure to provide the anastomosis; and

FIGS. 31 through 33 illustrate steps in alternatively utilizing a hookedneedle portion to provide the require anastomosis, and for thereafterforming the passageway between a target vessel and graft vessel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to a first embodiment of the anastomosis device and flowpassage producing method, as indicated schematically in FIGS. 1 a-5 ofthe drawings, there are represented successive steps in implementing aside-to-side anastomosis between a first body vessel 10, such as acoronary artery, and a second vessel 12 which may be a graft, andwherein the vessels 10, 12 are intended to be joined in an edge-to-edgecontact rather than intima-to-intima contact. As shown in FIG. 1 a ofthe drawings, a suture wire 14 having a suture needle 16, essentially ofcurved configuration attached at both ends thereof (only one shown) isinserted into the coronary artery 10 at a first location 18 bypuncturing the vessel wall. As indicated in FIG. 1 b of the drawings,the suture needle 16 at the leading end of the suture wire 14, ismanipulated so as to exit the coronary artery 10 at a second generallyaxial or longitudinally distant point 20 located therefrom at a distanceL, therefrom. The needles at both outer ends of the suture wire aredrawn upwardly so as to essentially form the entry puncture and exitpuncture distance L which will subsequently define the length of a fluidflow communication or aperture to be formed between the first and secondvessels 10, 12; in effect, between the coronary artery and the graftvessel. In effect, when two hollow organs or vessels are joinedside-to-side near a free closed end of one of the vessels, this isreferred to as a functional end-to-side anastomosis. Thus, once anincision is made, as set forth pursuant to the invention, the fluidpassageway created between the vessels eventually assume anapproximately circular shape due to the pressure of the fluid flow inthe vessels, and whereby the edge-to-edge approximation of thepassageway perimeter is maintained so that healing may take place.

As shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, each of the needles 16 at theopposite ends of the suture wire 14 (only one needle shown) is adaptedto puncture through the wall second or graft vessel 12 at two locationswhich are essentially at a same spacing L as that in the coronary artery10, and wherein the wire exit at the opposite located circumferentialwall of the graft vessel 12 by passing through the latter.

A tool 24 which may be the leading end of a rod-like member is insertedinto an open end 24A of the graft vessel 12, as shown in FIG. 3 of thedrawings, and is intended to press the graft vessel 12 into closeproximity with the coronary artery 10, during which time suture wire 14is also pulled upwardly at both outer ends thereof. At that time, asuitable adhesive 26 is applied to the region of contact along distanceL wires between the first and second vessels 10, 12. The suture wire 14may be preferably constituted of a surgical grade stainless steel orsimilar alloy, and may possess a diameter within the range of about0.001 to 0.005 inches. During that period of time, blood flow may bemaintained in the coronary artery 10. The tool 24 is maintained in thegraft vessel 12 so as to apply pressure against the coronary artery 10during the curing of the adhesive, while concurrently the two outwardlyextending strands of the suture wire 14 are pulled upwardly, possiblywith the aid of a suitable grasper (not shown). Alternatively, ratherthan utilizing an adhesive for anastomosis of the first and secondvessels 10, 12 to each other, there may be employed methods of manualsuturing, staples or other specialized fasteners, as is well known inthe medical technology.

As shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, subsequent to the curing of theadhesive 26 which has been previously applied so as to adhere togetherthe first and second vessels 10,12 in effect the coronary artery andgraft, a fluid flow passageway 30 which is of the length “L” as definedby the distance between the two upwardly extending suture wire portionsexiting from vessel 12, is formed in that the wire is utilized to cut anopening or aperture between the joined vessels, such as by reciprocatingthe wire back and forth until the adjoining walls of the vessels aresevered in that region.

Referring to FIG. 5 of the drawings, a clip 32 may be attached to theopen end of the graft or second vessel 12 subsequent to removing thetool 24 therefrom and flow of fluid may be initiated from the secondvessel or graft vessel 12 into the coronary artery or target vessel 10through passageway 30. The moving back and forth of the wire isanalogous to the implementation of a so-called “cheese wire” action,during which the tool provides a localized reaction force to the joinedvessel walls as the suture wire 14 shears through these walls or vesseltissue. It is also possible to equip the suture wire 14 with an abrasivecoating which facilitate the cutting action or sawing through the walltissue to form the fluid flow passageway 30. Alternatively, the wire maybe electrically connected to an electrical surgical generator, wherebyminute amount of radio frequency (RF) energy may be controllably appliedto the vessel walls to reduce the force needed to cut through. Furtherembodiments of the foregoing method are described hereinbelow inadditional detail.

Subsequent to completing the forming of the flow passageway 30, thesuture wire 14 may be withdrawn from the graft vessel 12, leaving onlytiny punctures which will readily seal themselves due to normal bodymechanisms once blood flow is established in both of the graft andtarget or coronary vessels.

Pursuant to modified embodiments, as shown in various of the drawingfigures, a graft vessel 40 may be attached to the target vessel orcoronary artery 10 through an end-to-side anastomosis.

As shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, similar to the previous embodiment,the suture wire 14 and needle 16 may be inserted into the coronaryartery 10, and egression therefrom so as to form a region of a distance“L” within the vessel 10 which will define the anastomosis with thegraft vessel 40. In lieu of needles, contrary to the previousembodiment, the suture wire 14 may have sharpened and rigid endportions, this also being applicable to the preceding embodiment ifdesired.

As shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings, the wire 14 may be an insulated wirehaving a bare wire portion 44 which defines that wire segment whichextends interiorly of the coronary artery or first vessel 10. Theinsulated wire portion which extend outwardly may be color coded,indicating that the bare wire portion is properly positioned within thecoronary artery. Similarly, the graft vessel 40 may have an open endpositioned over the portion of the coronary or target vessel 10 suchthat two wire portions extend inwardly of the graft vessel 40 and exitat a height outwardly therefrom by puncturing through the opposite sidewalls so as to lead these wire portions to the outside of the graftvessel, as indicated in FIG. 8 of the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 9 of the drawings, the vessels 10 and 40 are drawntowards each other by using or cutting wire 14 to manipulate the vesselsfrom side-to-side, such as for access and visibility. Thereafter, asindicated in the drawing, a conventional suture 48, such as a 7-0suture, as shown in FIG. 9, may be employed by running suture stitchesalong the sides of the vessels 10,40 to join these together, with thewire 14 still extending downwardly from the lower end portion of thegraft vessel 40 and through the wall of the target coronary artery 10 inwhich blood flow is still continuing.

As shown in FIG. 10, the graft vessel 40 has been drawn down until thelower end is in close contact with the surface of the target vessel 10defined by the wire 14 and as peripherally sutured together. Thereafter,as shown in FIG. 11, subsequent to the suturing and resultantanastomosis of the vessels 10,40 in an end-to-side relationship, anupward force is applied to the wire 14, causing the portion 44 of thewire 14 within the coronary vessel 10 to cut through the wall thereof,as shown specifically in FIG. 12, and to thereby form a blood or fluidflow passageway 46 between the graft vessel 40 and the coronary vessel10. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 13 of the drawings, the cutting wire 14is removed by pulling it out of the graft vessel 40, and the tinyremaining punctures will self seal due to normal body functions andblood flow.

As shown in FIG. 14 of the drawings, as an alternative to hand suturingwith conventional sutures, needles and/or similar anastomosis devices,it is possible to utilize a syringe 60, as schematically indicated,which includes a suture 62 adapted to be expelled in a continuous modethrough a cannulated needle 64, concurrently with a suitable adhesive66, such as a bio-adhesive in the form of cyano-acrylate encompassing orcoating the suture. This suture is then “glued” to the adjoining tissueof the vessels 10,40 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 of the drawings so asto adhere to the outside wall (adventitia) of the blood vessels 10rather than being pierced through. Upon contact with the vessel 10 and40, the sutures 62 will stick and adhere thereto, and a zig zag patternmay be utilized to lay down so-called stitches between the vessels; ineffect, producing a glued suture adhering to the outside thereofThereafter, as previously, the cutting wire 14 which extends upwardlywithin the graft vessel and exits the side walls thereof may be pulledup to form a fluid flow passageway 68 between the vessels by shearingthrough the wall of the coronary artery or target vessel 10 adjacent thegraft vessel 40.

A modified version of the foregoing, as shown in FIG. 17 of thedrawings, shows that a cannulated syringe 70 may contain a bio-glue in areservoir 72, and suture segments 74 which are wetted with the bio-glue.By simply pushing a plunger 76, the glue and suture segment 74 areexpelled from the orifice of the cannula of syringe 70, and each suturesegment positioned on the outer surface of the tissue at the juncturebetween the coronary artery 10 and the graft vessel 40, where thesegments adhere and then the glue cures, as shown in FIG. 18 of thedrawings. Consequently, a surgeon can in effect “build” a fabric ofsutures on the vessels, which upon the curing of the adhesive willproduce an anastomosis. It is also possible that the adhesive be merelybrushed onto the outside of the abutting graft and coronary arteryvessels 10,40 while the wire 14 is pulled up gently to form a vesselcontact. As shown in FIG. 19 of the drawings, by means of a tube 80having a reservoir 82 of the bio-adhesive, a brush tip 84 may be usedfor brushing on the adhesive rather than through the added use of anysutures. Subsequent to the curing of the adhesive and drying onto thetissue of the vessels, the wire 14 may be utilized to create the fluidflow passageway between the vessels, in a manner as previously setforth.

A modified version of the invention, as shown in FIG. 20 and theenlarged detail in FIG. 21 of area A utilized a pair of wires 90,92having the central portion thereof, as shown enlarged in FIG. 21,overlapping and superimposed in the region of the juncture between thegraft vessel 40 and the coronary artery 10. Each wire which has a needle94 may be a bipolar conductor wire used to create a passageway in thetarget vessel 10 in fluid flow relationship with the graft vessel 40. Inthis instance, the concept resides in isolating the energy transfer, ineffect, cutting of the tissue at that portion of the target vessel whichis to be opened to the graft vessel 40.

The two wires are electrically insulated from each other through theapplication of lacquer, polymers or other insulations, in combinationwith the bi-polar energy.

Utilizing a special two bipolar tweezer to supply an entry to the wireand to manipulate the wires during anastomosis enables the exposed metalwire portions which are formed by the overlapped wire portions, whichhave any insulation scraped off after dipping in insulating materialetc., and bonding together, as shown in FIG. 22, to be inserted into thecoronary artery 10 whereby the overlapping portion form the length Lwhich is to eventually provide the flow passageway with the graft vessel40. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 23, a graft vessel 40 is attached in anend-to-side relationship to the coronary artery 10, as previouslydescribed, and tensioned by means of the wire 90, 92 being pulledtransversely as then exist through the side walls of the graft vessel 40at a distance above the location of the juncture with the coronaryartery 10.

As shown in FIG. 24 of the drawings, a leading or operative tip portionof a forceps 98 may have two-tine construction, whereby bipolar energyis used to clamp onto the bare wire near each side of the graft vessel40. By pushing the forceps down towards the target artery 10, the graftvessel 40 is abutted against the artery while the target artery is thentented inside the lumen of the graft vessel. Joining means foranastomosis are applied while this position of the vessels ismaintained, such as previously described through glues, fasteners,sutures or the like. Fasteners are applied at each side whereby theforceps abut the vessels with each other.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 25 of the drawings where the perspectiveview of the forceps shows the bare metal leading tine portions thereofon the clamping surface the forceps, electrically connect the wires90,92 to a bipolar energy source (not shown). The portion of the wiresclamped by the forceps are either uninsulated or any insulation isremoved as the forceps are clamped onto them, such as possibly due toabrasion, teeth or other stripping surfaces provided on the clamps. Theforceps are opened and closed by trigger action at an opposite proximalend, or a conventional trigger grip may be employed. One side of theforceps may be electrically negative and the other side positive, withan insulating barrier provided therebetween.

As shown in FIG. 26 of the drawings, when the vessels 10,40 are joinedtogether, then the forceps tines 100 which are clamped onto the wires90,92 are pulled in a proximal direction and the bipolar energy is“pulsed” by an electrical current provided for through an externalcontrol. A fluid flow passageway is thus created between the targetvessel 10 and the graft vessel 40, and the wires are then pulled up intothe graft vessel 40. The forceps is then removed form the wires, andthen one end of the wire is pulled out from the graft vessel to extractthe wires therefrom. The punctures created in the graft vessel arebasically tiny punctures which are self occluding, and the bloodcirculation is restored to the graft vessel 40 which is now in fluidflow communication with the target vessel or coronary artery 10.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 27 through 30 of the drawings, hookedneedles 110 may be provided which have a leading hooked end of a lengthL adapted to form the length of the passageway by hooking into thecoronary artery 10 at a first location as shown in FIG. 28, and thenrotated by means of a suitable cradle holder 112 so as to egress at asecond location forming two punctures at a distance L. Thereafter, thesuture wire attached to the needle are used in the process of attachinga coronary artery to the graft vessel as hereinbefore in the manner asdescribed.

As an alternative to the hooked needle 110, there can be also providedan L-shaped needle 120 as shown in FIGS. 31 to 33, wherein the needlehas a length L and is adapted to be pulled upwardly so as to pierce thecoronary artery wall at locations equal to the length of the intendedpassageway portion L which is to form the opening in fluid flowcommunication with the graft vessel 40. This is similar to the functionof the needle structure described with regard to FIGS. 27 to 29, and theattachment of the graft vessel 40 to the coronary artery 10 may then beimplemented in any manner as described hereinbefore. The foregoingclearly provides unique methods and apparatus for attaching a graftvessel to a target vessel such as a coronary artery while permitting acontinuous blood flow through the latter and then enabling theanastomosis of the vessels prior to the formation of the fluid flowpassageway therebetween.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described withrespect to preferred embodiments thereof; it will be understood by thoseskilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention.

1. A method for implementing a vascular anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel and creating a fluid flow passageway therebetween, said method comprising: inserting a wire with one end into a target vessel by puncturing a wall of said target vessel and exiting said target vessel by puncturing the wall thereof a spaced location therefrom, thereby defining a region of contact between said target vessel and a graft vessel, the graft vessel being positioned adjacent to the target vessel and the wire puncturing walls of the graft vessel; attaching said target vessel with said graft vessel; and providing a fluid flow passageway between the lumens of the target vessel and the graft vessel through the region of contact.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein attaching the target vessel with the graft vessel further comprises applying a curable adhesive to the vessels.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein attaching the target vessel with the graft vessel further comprises stitching sutures about a periphery of the region of contact to secure the target vessel with the graft vessel.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein attaching the target vessel with the graft vessel further comprises applying a glue-coated suture whereat the target vessel and the graft vessel are in contact.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the glue-coated suture further comprises applying a bio-adhesive.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the bio-adhesive is cyano-acrylate.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein applying the glue-coated suture further comprises providing a cannulated syringe whereby a plurality of glue-coated sutures are successively applied to secure the vessels to each other.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the fluid flow passageway comprises reciprocating the wire to cut through the walls of at least one of the target vessel and the graft vessel in the region of contact.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the wire includes an abrasive surface to assist in cutting through vessel walls.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the fluid flow passageway comprises cutting through the walls in the region of contact of the target vessel and the graft vessel, which are in side-to-side contact with one another.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the fluid flow passageway comprises cutting through the walls in the region of contact of the target vessel and the graft vessel, which are in end-to-side contact with one another.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the fluid flow passageway comprises providing an insulated electrically-conductive wire having an uninsulated portion extending within the target vessel in the region of contact, and imparting electrical energy to the wire.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the fluid flow passageway comprises electrically energizing the wire to cut through walls of the vessels in the region of contact.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the fluid flow passageway comprises supplying the wire with RF energy to cut through walls of the vessels. 